BNP to lay siege to UNO offices

BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Star file photo

BNP will lay siege to the offices of the Upazila Nirbahi Officers across the country tomorrow protesting vote-rigging and ruling party men’s attack on BNP in the fourth phase of upazila parishad elections.

BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed announced the agitation programme at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office today.

The BNP leader also accused the Election Commission of being subservient to the Sheikh Hasina government.

Pointing to EC’s complain against Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu for breaching election code of conduct, Rizvi said the EC has the authority to take action against the minister.

“But instead it has sent a letter to the cabinet secretary for taking measures to this end,” he said.
Meanwhile, EC on Sunday sent a letter to prime minister through the cabinet division mentioning alleged violation of electoral code of conduct against Amu.

Rizvi further said, the ruling party “cadres” with the assistance of law enforcement agencies carried out attacks on BNP-led 19-party alliance’s candidates and their supporters during the fourth phase of upazila election.
The fourth phase election of 91 upazilas held on Sunday. Four people were killed in polls violence.

Ruling Awami League which was behind BNP till the three phases of upazila polls, went ahead in the fourth round claiming 177 chairman posts while the BNP-endorsed ones have 150.

In terms of vice-chairman posts, BNP still maintains leading position taking 268 while its arch-rival AL has bagged 254 vice-chairman posts.